Wisconsin receives $149M for homes energy rebates program

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin launched its first Home Energy Rebates program Friday, which officials say will make installing energy efficient home upgrades less expensive for eligible residents.

The HOMES program, which all households are eligible for, provides rebates on whole-home energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation and air conditioning upgrades.

The HEAR program, which is available for low- and moderate-income households, provides rebates on high efficiency electric appliances, such as heat pumps and upgrades electric panels.

“The HOMES and forthcoming HEAR programs will go a long way in lowering costs for important energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades for households across the nation and here in Wisconsin,” Gov. Tony Evers announced. “Together, these programs will save folks and families up to $1 billion every year in energy costs and support roughly 50,000 jobs. This is proof that we don’t have to choose between protecting the environment and economic development and creating jobs—we can and are doing both.”

Supported by funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, the HOMES program will use $74.8 million and the HEAR program will use $74.5 million

“The Biden-Harris Administration is helping families save energy and save money, and we’re not slowing down,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “Wisconsin is leading the pack of states building up their local workforce and keeping money in the pockets of their residents, all thanks to the Investing in America agenda.”

The economic effects of green energy rebates and subsidies are a contentious issue among regulatory climate policy experts.

“Home energy rebates for clean and energy-efficient appliances and upgrades are good for the planet because they help cut pollution,” International Climate Policy Senior Advisor John Podesta said following the announcement. “But more importantly, they are good for Wisconsin families because they will save money by lowering energy bills.”

In contrast, President of Continental Economics Dr. Jonathan Lesser, an expert on regulatory energy policy, warned in a 2023 report that government spending will have an overall detrimental effect.

“Given the country’s profligate spending and rapidly increasing deficit, for the foreseeable future, federal green energy subsidies are likely to be financed with additional debt. The financing costs alone to service that additional debt will be huge and will increase the deficit still further,” Lesser wrote. “Moreover, higher energy prices disproportionately affect the least well off in society.”

The HOMES and HEAR program rebates will become available to eligible Wisconsinites in September.